NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Two men were indicted on Wednesday on charges related to a pre-planned shooting at Tompkins Square Park earlier this summer that left one man dead and another critically injured, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced.
Rafael Macias and Angel Sardina, both 63, are both charged with second-degree murder, second-degree attempted murder, first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, all felonies.
The July 12 shooting occurred in the East Village park just before 10 a.m., leaving 74-year-old Fermin Brito dead and a 44-year-old man critically injured after they were both shot in the back.
In the hours leading up to the shooting, Macias and Sardina were in constant communication, both in person and over the phone, to allegedly plan the shooting, court documents and statements show.
Prosecutors said that at 8:25 a.m., Sardina began scouting out the park, looking for Brito and the 44-year-old man. Over an hour later, at 9:50 a.m., Macias directed Sardina to the victims, and he allegedly fired multiple shots at them.
Brito was struck once in the upper back and was later pronounced dead at an area hospital.
The 44-year-old was struck four times, including in his back, left armpit and bicep. He tried to run away, entering a nearby deli at St. Marks Place and Avenue A, but collapsed. EMS transported him to NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue in critical condition, where he was stabilized.
Sardina and Macias fled, heading toward Stuy Town, the district attorney’s office said. They changed their clothing and accessories after running off.
“As alleged, Angel Sardina and Rafael Macias coordinated a vicious and deadly shooting, which seriously injured one victim and tragically ended Fermin Brito’s life,” District Attorney Alvin Bragg said.
“Our city’s parks should be safe spaces for all Manhattanites, and we will hold those accountable who endanger them with gun violence and illegal conduct.”
Macias, of the Bronx, and Sardina, of Manhattan, were arrested on July 25.